Born in Guantanamo, Cuba, Royland Lobato arrived in the Bay Area in 2005. His fascination with the folklore of the island drove him to become a teacher of Cuba’s musical and dance traditions, especially its Afro-Cuban elements, but also its contemporary popular expression, such as rueda de casino, rumba, son, and other forms. In this lecture, Lobato will discuss his experience as an immigrant and the enduring influence of Afro-Cuban cultural heritage.

A graduate of the School of Instruction of the Arts with a specialization in dance, Lobato was a founding member of the Havana-based Potencias, a folkloric dance and music ensemble. Since his immigration to the United State he has presented workshops and performances across the country from Hawaii to New York, in Mexico, and here at UC Berkeley as well as in Cuba. He offers classes at his studio in Oakland.